Carlo Cignani

He was born in Bologna to a noble family. In Bologna, he studied first under Battista Cairo and later under Francesco Albani , with whom he remained closely allied and his most famous disciple. He was, however, also strongly and deeply influenced by the genius of Correggio . For instance, his ''Assumption of the Virgin'', around the cupola of the Church Of The Madonna Del Fuoco at Forli , is inspired from the more renowned fresco of Correggio in the cupola of the Cathedral Of Parma . This painting, which occupied Cignani for some twenty years, is perhaps his most famous.

Cignani who is considered a member of the Bolognese School had some of the defects of his masters: his elaborate finish and his audacious artificiality in the use of color and in composition mark Albani's influence. Despite that, he imparted to his work a more intellectual character than either of his models, and is not without other remarkable merits of his own. As a man Cignani was eminently amiable, unassuming and generous. His success, however, made him many enemies; and the envy of some of these is said to have impelled them to deface certain of his works.

He accepted none of the honors offered him by the Duke Of Parma and other princes, but lived and died an artist. On his removal to Forli, where he died, members of the school he had founded at Bologna considered following him. His most famous pictures, in addition to the ''Assumption'' already cited, are the ''Entry of Paul III into Bologna''; the ''Francois I Touching for Kings Evil''; a ''Power of Love'', painted under a fine ceiling by Agostino Carracci , on the walls of a room in the ducal palace at Parma; an ''Adam and Eve'' (at The Hague ); and two of ''Joseph and Potiphars Wife ''(at Dresden and Copenhagen).

His son Felice Cignani (1660-1724) and nephew Paolo Cignani (1709-1764) were also painters.

ANTHOLOGY OF WORKS

''Magdalen'' (Dulwich Picture Gallery) {Link without Title}

''Joseph and Potiphar's Wife'', (Gemaldegallerei, Dresden) {Link without Title}

''Joseph and Potiphar's Wife'', (Musee Fesch, Ajaccio) {Link without Title}

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''Charity'' (San Francisco Museum of Art) {Link without Title}

''Allegory of Spring'' {Link without Title}

''Pastoral Scene'' {Link without Title}

''Judgement of Paris'' (1691) {Link without Title}

REFERENCES

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Carlo Cignani